Man jailed after return to terrify his ex-partner

A 37-year-old man who was warned to stay away from his ex-partner, pending sentencing next month for harassment, was put into jail yesterday because he returned to the scene of the crime, terrifying her again.

Leslie Murphy, with addresses at Nohoval, Co Cork, and Tubrid, Minane Bridge, pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to harassing Elaine Lovell and trespassing at her home at Waterlands, Kinsale, to commit assault causing harm.

Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin considered remanding Murphy in custody last week for sentencing in June. However, following a submission that the accused could lose his job if remanded in custody for that period, and that employment was a steadying influence in Murphy’s life, the judge agreed to grant him bail.

Judge Ó Donnabháin was particularly concerned that Murphy was convicted of harassing another woman in 2013 and was put on a bond to keep the peace for three years at that time.

The offences in the present case occurred around May or June 2015.

Murphy’s ex called the gardaí because of threats by phone and text from Murphy claiming he was going to assault her and her partner.

Garda Barrett said there was one incident where Ms Lovell was leaning out a ground-floor window having a cigarette when Murphy arrived and pulled at her.

“He launched in the window after her. He caught her by the throat on the couch,” said Garda Barrett, adding that the relationship had broken down a number of years previously.

Judge Ó Donnabháin had remanded Leslie Murphy on bail for sentencing on June 9.

Garda Barrett returned to Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday to say Murphy was arrested at 1am on Monday outside his ex-partner’s home. He had been phoning her and was intoxicated.

Judge Ó Donnabháin said those allegations put Murphy in breach of his bail. He was remanded in custody until June 9 for sentencing.